Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-16


barry's interruption had reused her sense of
what was due to herself She resumed her
reply in palmer terms.
"When Ferrari wrote to the late Lord
Montbarry,r she said, "he did certainly men
ton my name"
Even now, she had innocently failed to see
the object which her visitor had in view. Lady
MontbaTy's impotence became ungovern-
able. She started to her feet and advanced
to Agnes.
WAS it with yonr knowledge and permis-
sion that Ferrari used your Manner she asked.
The whole soul of my question is IN that.
For Gods sake, answer me-Yes or Nor
YES" .r-.'
That one word struck Lady Montbarry as
blow might have struck her The fierce life
that had animated her face the instant before
faded out of it suddenly and left her like
woman turned to stone. She stood, mechanic
ally confronting Agnes with stiffness 50
rapt and perfect that not even the breath she
drew was perceptible TO the two parsons vino
were looking at her. .
Henry spoke to her roughly. Rouse your
self, he said you have received your an
swer"
She looked at him. IL have received my
sentence, she rejoined, and turned slowly to
leave the room.
To Henry's establishment, Agnes stopped
her. Wait a moment, Lady Montbarry; l
have something to ask on my side:
Lady Montbarry paused on the instant
silently submissive as if she had heard a
word of command. Henry drew Agnes away
to the other end of the room and demonstrated
with her.
You do wrong to call that person back"
he said.
ANo," Agnes whispered, Il have had time
to remember
"To remember what!n
$40 remember Ferraris wife; Lady Mont
barry may have heard something of the lost
man"
Lady Montbarry may have heard, but she
won't tell"
at may he SO, Henry, but for Emily's sake
l must try" Henry yielded.
| "Your kindness is inexhaustible," he said,
with his admiration of her kindling in his
eyes. always thinking of others; never of
| yoursefl7
Meanwhile Lady Montbarry waited with a
resignation that could endure any delay.
Agnes returned to her, leaving Henry by
himself. Pardon ME for keeping you wait
ing" she said, in her gentle, courteous way
You have spoken OF FeiraII l wish to speak
of him, too"
Lady Montbarry bent her head in silence
Her hand trembled as she took out her hand
kerchief and passed it over her forehead.
Agnes detected the trembling and shrunk
back a step. IS the subject painful to you7'
she asked, timidly.
Still silent, Lady MontbaIry inv ited her 10y
a wave Of the hand to go on, Henry ap.
preached attentively watching his sister in
law. Agnes went on:
NO trace of Ferrari has been discovered in
England" she said. Have yousarg Hews.of
him. And will you tell ME if you have
heard anything, in mercy to his wifei'
Lady Montharry's thin lips suddenly re-
Taxed into their sad and cruel smile.
why do you ask me about the los,
couierlr she said, You will know what has
become of him, Miss Lockwood, when the
time is ripe for it." z.
Agnes started II don't understand you,
she said allow shall | knowq VIII somt
one tellme!" U,F a.
"Some one will tell you"
Henry could keep silence no longer "Per
haps your ladyship may be the person" h,
interrupted, with ironical politeness.
She answered him with contemptuous ease
"You may be right, MIR WeStwck One day
or another l may be the person who tell.
Miss lockwood what has become of Ferrari
| if
She stopped. with ttr eyes fixed on Agnes
"If wlIats7 Henry asked
aft MISS Lockwood forces me to it.n 4
Agnes listened in astouishment 'Forct
you to itf she repeated. "How can / d.
thata Do you mean to say my will is stronge
than yoursp
"Do you mean to say that the candle doesn'
burn the moth when the moth flies into it,
Lady Montbarry rejoined "Have you eve
heard Of such a thing as the fascination 0
terrori am drawn to you by fascination
of terror. have no right to visit you.
have no wish to visit you; you are my enemy
For the first time i'll my life, against my owl
will, submit to my enemy Seei am wait
ing because you told me to wait; and the fea
of you Il swear it, creeps through me while
stand here. Oh, don't let me excite your Gu
riosity or your pity Follow the example o
Mr.. Westwick. Be hard and brutal and un
forgiving, like him. Grant me my release
tell me to 60"
The frank and simple nature of Agne
could discover but one ineligible meaning
in this strange outbreak.
"You are mistaken in thinking me you
enemy" she said 1.-THE wrong you did IN
when you gave your hand to Lord Montbarr
was not Intentionally done. ] forgave yo
my sufferings in his lifetime forgive 20
even more now that he has gone"
Henry heard her with mingled emotions G
admiration and distress ''Say no .moren b
exclaimed. "You are too good to her; she
noteworthy of it."
The interruption passed unheeded by Lad
MontbRrry. The simple words in whic
Agnes had replied seemed to have absorbe
the whole attention Of this strangely change
able woman As she listened, her face Sc,
tied slowly into an expression Of hard an
fearless sorrow. There was marked chang
in her voice when she spoke next 1t e,
pressed that last, worst resignation which hs
done with hope.
"You good, innocent creature she sale
"what does your amiable forgiveness matter
What are your poor little wrongs In the reel
oning for greater wrongs which is demande
of mea l am not trying to brighten you; ;
am only miserable about myself Do VIC
know what it is to have a firm preseptimel
q of calamity that is coming to you, aud vet
}, hope that your own positive conviction wi
! not prove truel When | first met you, b
t fore my marriage, and first felt your inf
S ence over me, / had that hope. 1t was
n starvelmg sort Of hope that lived a lingerir
{ life in me until today. You struck it de,
r when you answered my question about Fe
i | a,or;